2024-04-14 21:57:41
I. Gumbs (61.54 – 64.52 – x – x – 64.98 – 63.61), who fulfilled the Olympic norm in the women’s discus throw event in the second attempt, did not stop and added almost half a meter to the previous result with her fifth throw.
Cuba’s representative Yaime Perez won the competition, setting the best result of the 21st century (73.09 m) and the ninth best result in the history of women’s discus throw.
The second place was taken by American Veronica Fraley (67.17 m), who improved her personal record by more than 3 meters. The world record since 1988 belongs to the German Gabriela Reinsch (76.80 m).
“I was hoping to improve my personal record because I felt well prepared and confident.” There were many strong competitors in the competition, so I was determined to fight for a good result and a lot of ranking points. But I really didn’t expect to throw this far!
I still can’t believe I lost 64.98. The wind really helped to cast far, but you have to know how to catch that wind.
There were many good athletes who couldn’t handle themselves and threw much worse than their personal best”, I. Gumbs shared her emotions after the competition.
The multiple Lithuanian champion did not hide that she had no lack of self-confidence before this start: “The goal of the competition was to perform the throw technically and fight for the best possible result.
I won’t hide it, I believed that I could throw it far. Two races over 60 meters gave us a lot of confidence and we saw from the video what needs to be improved to be even better. Even now, looking at the video of that throw, we can see what I could have done better.”
Before this competition, the discus thrower was fighting for a place in the Olympic Games in the ranking system, and now she will not have to do that anymore. I. Gumbs will definitely be in Paris (France) and in Rome (Italy) from June 7 to 12. the standard for the upcoming European Championship has already been fulfilled.
This will be the athlete’s first Olympic Games and third European Championship (the best result is 14th place at the 2022 European Championships in Munich, Germany). The athlete also took 14th place at the World Championship held in Budapest (Hungary) last year.
“The preparation plan is changing radically. With a ranked system, you never know who’s going to drop next and knock you out of the TOP 32, so you try to play a lot of matches, stay ranked, and hope that everything goes well.
The constant stress, travel and participation in competitions takes a toll on preparation, making it difficult to maintain good performance in the most important competitions. Now I can go back to the preparation stage and
continue to calmly improve the technique, fully strengthen”, – the discus thrower reviewed the qualification system of the Olympic Games and her situation.
This was already the fourth start of I. Gumbs in the discus event this year. Lithuania took 9th place (59.69 m) at the European Throws Cup held in Portugal, and won two competitions in the USA (60.30 m and 60.04 m).
According to the athlete, the achieved results are pleasing: “I rate it very well. I am happy with the stability, we are moving in a good way. In America, the season starts earlier, so the plan was to come here, compete well, collect ranking points and feel more stable in the ranking. In two competitions, I had good shots over 60 meters, so I believed that if I shot better, I could throw further.”
After this start, the athlete will review the competition schedule and strive to be in the best shape for the European Championship and the Olympic Games.
“The fulfilled Olympic standard allows us to prepare more appropriately for the most important starts of this season – the European Championship and the Olympic Games.
I will definitely participate in the Lithuanian championship. Perhaps you will be able to get into the Diamond League competition. It is difficult to say something now, we will have to calmly make training and competition plans”, said the country’s best discus thrower.
Qualification system for August 1-11. the upcoming Paris Olympic Games will close on June 30. The discus throwers Andrius Gudžius and Mykolas Alekna have already fulfilled the norms. The latter will start late Sunday night in the same Oklahoma Throws Series.
2024-04-14 21:57:41